The beautiful and bustling island of Hvar, Croatia

We had not used our rental car since arriving in Split and now the plan was to leave it parked, (completely blocking the sidewalk), with all the local’s cars on a side street and pick it up on our return from Hvar Island. So, somewhat apprehensively, we left our car and apartment for the fast ferry ⛴ to Hvar.

The ferry was fast and an easy 1 hour trip. We both love being on boats and the ocean, and I never get bored on boats. Once on Hvar, we knew our new Airbnb was on the water, so as Terri was navigating through Google maps and it directed us up some hundred+ steps to a higher road, I was skeptical and getting hot & tired. I guess that it was the shorter route, but it was also the tougher route, we should have casually cruised the waterfront, enjoying level ground with good scenery all while carrying our backpacks. Terri and Google maps: oh, the places you will go – but never wanted to.

Our place was great, 3 coves out of town with a great view and a wonderful host, Katija, mother of 6 from 3 years old to 29 years old!

Our friends, T&M, were also staying on the other side of the island and Terri and I had made reservations for dinner at a swanky place in old town Hvar. Of particular interest to us, was a dish called Peka that came highly recommended. This restaurant offered Peka with 2 hours notice and a deposit!?!😯. The place was very nice but the Peka was almost inedible😤. It was a good thing we had good company or the evening would have been a loss! We complained, mildly, and did receive free desserts. The poor dinner did result in a poor review on TripAdvisor titled, “Don’t get the Peka.” I’ll try to forget about this meal but I’m sure the credit card statement will remind and infuriate me once again.

We rented a small boat to explore the smaller islands around Hvar and M&L joined us for a great day on the water. We stopped at one small island for lunch and although our small boat 🚣 did not compete with some of the others at the dock ⛵️, I found an open spot and tied-up. During lunch, another boater had come in and basically tied his boat to ours. You should have seen him come running when we went to leave! Terri had to remind me about the big “Rent Me” sign emblazoned across the hull of our boat, I guess I would have come running too had the situation been reversed.

While touring the fortress on Hvar, we met a great couple from Iowa, Bill & Connie. Like us, they are traveling Europe for an extended time and enjoying retirement. Unlike me, Bill could actually walk through the narrow passageways with low ceilings without ducking or hitting his head! That’s the life of those who are blessed with regular Roman height. That’s actually how we met, Bill said: “Hey, you’re tall, can you take a picture of us with the bay behind?” We sat on the centuries old walls and shared stories, we hope to meet them again someday soon: Iowa, Cali or ?

Next stop: the Island of Mljet, Croatia 🇭🇷

o